Rural Tourism in Karnataka

Rural Tourism is any form of tourism that showcases the rural life, art, culture and heritage at rural locations, thereby, benefiting the local community economically and socially, as well as enabling interaction between the tourists and the local community for a more enriching tourism experience. Rural tourism focuses on letting the rural population of the country promote tourism.

Along with the creation of an alternative source of income, rural tourism contributes to the revival of folk art and handicrafts. It is an ideal and natural method of rural and urban economic exchange. Rural tourism can be a viable economic component in rural community development. The benefits are many, ranging from sustainable livelihood, poverty alleviation, upliftment of rural artists/ art forms, empowerment particularly for women and higher standard of living.

As part of its rural tourism project, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Karnataka in partnership with UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) has identified Anegundi and Banavasi in north Karnataka to be developed for tourism. The ancient city of Banavasi, earlier the capital of the Kadamba kingdom, has found references in Mahabharata.

Anegundi
Anegundi is blessed with astonishing natural beauty - Rocks and boulders, greenery of paddy and banana plantation, ancient temples and vernacular houses, beautiful landscape with mighty river Tungabhadra and True village traditions and festivals.

Banavasi
Banavasi and its surroundings are gifted with nature's bounty. There are numerous ponds around the districts and they are filled with lotuses and water lilies. On a winter morning, when the mist is just lifting, their sight acts as a balm to the weary urban soul.

Banavasi, a big village or a small town is on the banks of river Varada and has many stories to tell. It is recognised as the first capital of ancient Karnataka when the Kadamba dynasty ruled over the region from the fourth to the sixth centuries. A fifth century copper coin was discovered in Banavasi recently!